100 Mr Wilson on the State of the Arts in Italy. 



ter is fluted, or various designs are executed in intaglio upon 

 it, in the most beautiful manner. Scagliola, a very fine pre- 

 paration from gypsum, is the material chiefly used. 



As an instance of the cheap rate at which this work is done, I 

 may mention the new ball-room in the Palazzo Pitti, grand-du- 

 cal residence at Florence, which, including mouldings, figures, 

 bas-reliefs, and ornaments, was executed at a cost of two 

 crowns for every four feet square. 



Work in scagliola naturally follows in my notice of the 

 arts of architectural decoration ; but this I need not describe, 

 as the art is now practised in England with great success, 

 and an artist has lately settled in Edinburgh, whom I ear- 

 nestly hope may meet with encouragement. A most beautiful 

 art may be mentioned here, in connection with the last, I 

 mean that of making what are termed Venetian pavements, 

 which might advantageously be introduced into this coun- 

 try. The floors of rooms are finished with this pavement, 

 as it is somewhat incongruously termed, and I shall briefly 

 describe the mode of operation in making these, but must 

 first observe that they are usually formed over vaults. In 

 the first place, a foundation is laid of lime mixed with poz- 

 zolana and small pieces of broken stone ; this is in fact a 

 sort of concrete, which must be well beaten and levelled. 

 When this is perfectly dry, a fine paste, as it is termed by the 

 Italians, must be made of lime, pozzolana, and sand ; a yel- 

 low sand is used which tinges the mixture ; this is carefully 

 spread to a depth of one or two inches, according to circum- 

 stances. Over this is laid a layer of irregularly broken mi- 

 nute pieces of marble of different colours, and if it is wished, 

 these can be arranged in patterns. After the paste is com- 

 pletely covered with pieces of marble, men proceed to beat 

 the floor with large and heavy tools made for the purpose ; 

 when the whole has been beaten into a compact mass, the 

 paste appearing above the pieces of marble, it is left to harden. 

 It is then rubbed smooth with fine grained stones, and is 

 finally brought to a high polish with emeiy powder, marble- 

 dust, and, lastly, boiled oil rubbed on with flannel. 



This makes a durable and very beautiful floor, which in this 

 country would be well adapted for halls, conservatories, and 



